Discussion Main / NervesofSteel

From Nerves of steel page. PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is not even a little bit- falling apart after danger has past. Its a multiple symptom disorder. If you were going to single out ONE (1) outward expression, it would be someone always on alert. Unable to turn off being on guard and reacting as if they are still in danger. Standing up with hands on hips when artillery is falling, is not sign of Nerves of steel, it is sign of stupidity or at the very least a lack of combat experience and common sense.

Yes, I can see this as a useful overcategory of the times when the writer wants to show the hero off as cool by having them maintain calm effectiveness unaffected by distraction. It links in with a lot of tropes but doesn't have a one-to-one relationship with them.

It does have quite a number of examples but it could have in fact benefitted from fewer with more description to gather people around on the YKTTW. I think some rewriting and making sure that everything is formatted properly is needed but it's valid and workable.

Okay, I've rewritten to match my understanding and to make it clearer. I hope this helps. (Maybe we could make a "general" list along with the work specific lists.)

I'm having a hard time distinguishing this trope from The Stoic and Stiff Upper Lip, to be honest. I understand that there's an attempt to distinguish the three, but the current description for Nerves of Steel makes it hard to do so. The trope feels like "This, but more" rather than a trope in its own right.

—R.J.

Sorry but I'm moving what I believe was Jason Taylor's response to a separate response:

The Stoic refers to control of emotions and Stiff Upper Lip refers to mocking of stress . Nerves of Steel refer to the fact that the brain is functioning flawlessly. It relates specifically to the efficiency of the brain and not simply the attitude which a given character displays. Being The Stoic is a boost to Nerves of Steel but not the same thing.

For instance suppose a given character is a passionate lover, or cries Manly Tears when something happens to his loved one, or whatever. If however he is just as capable of being The Strategist when necessary and calculates just as precisely, then he has Nerves of Steel. The key point is that Nerves of Steel refers to mental efficiency and most specifically ability to make decisions. It is often reflected in demeanor but is not the same.

If a character is The Stoic but he never makes decisions in times of danger then he does not have Nerves of Steel. He may be brave enough in other ways but he does not have Nerves of Steel.

To put it another way the key point is not the suppression of emotion but the activation or retention of reason. More specifically the ability to make decisions. The first may be necessary for the second which is why they often go together. But they are not the same.

Agree with above: The Stoic is emotionless, Stiff Upper Lip is an Imperturbable Englishman- very very English.

"To put it another way the key point is not the suppression of emotion but the activation or retention of reason."

So how's this different from The Spock?

—R.J.

It is a quality that The Spock often has. Not all spocks are in stressful situations enough times to test it. And not all Nerves of Steel characters are unemotional enough to be a spock. Captain Ramius definitely was not.

For instance, instead of being a spock, this could be used to make a character a "reverse Kuudere " who is emotional at most times but icy at times of danger.